More must be done to stop drunk driving

Re York Region police plan to name and shame alleged drunk drivers, Dec. 3

I am troubled by the York Regional Police initiative to “name and shame” people arrested for impaired driving. No one is more aware of the harm caused by impaired drivers than I am, having spent much of my career in the field and serving as an expert witness on more than 80 related lawsuits. My problem lies with the poor definition of the problem and the false hope the proposed solution gives.

York Regional Police Chief Eric Joliffe states, “It’s clear that something has to change,” noting that impaired driving is irresponsible criminal behaviour, and declaring “We are not giving up.” His solution anticipates that people will be deterred from driving while impaired because their names will be publicly released — this, when the severe penalties already in place are failing to have deterrent impact.

I suggest that any added deterrent from the threatened shaming will change little. I recommend that Joliffe turn his attention to the licensed premises from which many impaired drivers originate. They too are breaking the law when they serve patrons to intoxication, many of whom subsequently drive from the premises. Police should determine where impaired driv- ers had their last drink and either charge the offending licensee under the Liquor Licence Act, or issue a “last chance” warning.

In addition, Smart Serve, the province’s training program for licensees, needs improvement in relation to the prevention of intoxication and impaired driving.

In too many communities a handful of licensed premises are repeat offenders that directly contribute to our impaired driving problem, and this is preventable. Rob Simpson, Guelph Well it is about time that the government decided to fight back against drunk driving, which is a threat to anyone travelling the roads today.

And there will be the bleeding hearts out there concerned with their privacy or rights, but hopefully they realize if they don’t drink and drive they have nothing to fear.

I lost a daughter and her husband, which left my grandson an orphan, and I don’t want anyone else to experience this horrible tragedy.

There needs to be more carding at the grocery stores to stop the inebriated and underage from buying alcohol, and this will assist in cutting down on drunk driving. Bev Northeast, Goodwood, Ont.